Featured Artist Lauri Novak

Artist Lauri Novak trains her camera on architecture and landscape, capturing unique perspectives. Visit her website to view more images.

 

 

I feel like photography has always been part of my life. It defines part of who I am. For over forty years I’ve held a camera. I was the one always taking photos in school, trying my hand at the usual yearbook and school newspaper photographer roles. They weren’t for me. I learned things along the way and consider it all part of the journey of “seeing.”

 

 

My photography reflects my perspective and personality. I have always had a bit of a different way of looking at the world. I feel fortunate to not have gone along with the crowd, just following trends. Even though it wasn’t always seen as “right,” my viewpoint and way of being has pushed through in my work.

 

 

I am blessed with a wandering spirit that developed throughout my life—it’s something I honor to this day. I grew up traveling the United States with my family. We went to a different destination every year. Being able to see the world beyond our own town and local area is how I first started telling photographic stories.

 

 

Different landscapes, cities, life on farms, driving across America and camping along the way, really opened my eyes to so much of what else was out there to see. I continue to travel, explore the world and capture what I see along the way.

 

 

I have always been drawn to architecture and it continues to be the main subject for my work. Living near Chicago, with all of its amazing architecture, makes this relatively easy. Shape, form, lines, shadows and reflections continue to draw my eye. Finding unique ways of photographing buildings and creating art with them is how I challenge myself in my work.

 

 

I see nature in the same way. Mother Nature is the original, incredible architect. The forms that can be seen in my images of landscapes, leaves, streams and mountains echo and reflect my love of architecture.

 

 

When I look at something, I ask myself, “How can I see this and photograph it differently? What is a way no one has photographed this before?” I try to answer these two questions as I approach not only architecture, but almost any subject I photograph.

 

 

I love to create images that make people stop and look; trying to understand what they are looking at or how I saw what I saw. Making a viewer stop, think, step back and wonder gives me a sense of accomplishment in my work. I’m continually learning new techniques, relying on my sense of play and childlike wonder in order to create and grow in my art.

 

Artist Lauri Novak invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

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